Spanish Demonstratives: Pointing Out People and Things Near and Far
Learn to use este, ese, and aquel to point out people and things near and far in Spanish, with clear examples and practice.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In Spanish, when you want to point out people or things, you use demonstratives like este, ese, and aquel. These words change based on distance and gender. This lesson will teach you how to use them correctly in everyday conversation.
By the end, you can…
- point out people and things near me using este, esta, estos, estas.
- point out people and things at a medium distance using ese, esa, esos, esas.
- point out people and things far away using aquel, aquella, aquellos, aquellas.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Este libro es mío.
This book is mine.
ES-teh LEE-broh es MEE-oh
Use when the book is close to you.
Ese libro es tuyo.
That book is yours.
EH-seh LEE-broh es TOO-yoh
Use when the book is near the person you're talking to.
Aquel libro es suyo.
That book over there is his/hers/yours (formal).
ah-KEL LEE-broh es SOO-yoh
Use when the book is far from both you and the listener.
Esta casa es grande.
This house is big.
ES-tah KAH-sah es GRAHN-deh
Use for a feminine noun that is close to you.
Esos zapatos son nuevos.
Those shoes are new.
EH-sohs sah-PAH-tohs sohn NWEH-vohs
Use for masculine plural nouns at a medium distance.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Demonstratives in Spanish agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. For singular masculine nouns, use este (near), ese (medium), aquel (far). For singular feminine nouns, use esta, esa, aquella. For plural masculine, use estos, esos, aquellos. For plural feminine, use estas, esas, aquellas. For example: Este libro es mío. Esa mesa es tuya. Aquellos árboles son altos.
When to use it
Use este/esta when the object is close to you, ese/esa when it's close to the person you're speaking to, and aquel/aquella when it's far from both. In Latin America, ese/esa is often used for both medium and far distances, while aquel may sound more formal or literary. For example, if you're holding a pen, say Este bolígrafo. If the pen is on the table near your friend, say Ese bolígrafo. If it's across the room, say Aquel bolígrafo.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
¿Qué es esto?
What is this?keh es ES-tohEso es un regalo para ti.
That is a gift for you.EH-soh es oon reh-GAH-loh PAH-rah tee¡Gracias! ¿Y aquello de allá?
Thanks! And that over there?GRAH-syahs ee ah-KEH-yoh deh ah-YAHAquello es una sorpresa.
That over there is a surprise.ah-KEH-yoh es OO-nah sohr-PREH-sahA little context goes a long way
In many Latin American countries, the distinction between ese and aquel is less strict than in Spain. Ese is commonly used for both medium and far distances, while aquel may sound more formal or literary. However, using aquel can add emphasis when something is truly far away.
One thing to watch for
Using este for something far away.
Try this instead: Use aquel for far objects. For example, say Aquel edificio es alto, not Este edificio es alto, if the building is far.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'This table is big' if the table is right next to you?
Show a sample answer
Esta mesa es grande.
Esta is the feminine singular demonstrative for something near you. It agrees with the feminine noun mesa.
2What is the masculine plural form of 'that' (medium distance)?
Show a sample answer
Esos
Esos is the masculine plural demonstrative for medium distance. It is used with masculine plural nouns like libros.
3Translate: 'Those shoes over there are new.' (shoes far away)
Show a sample answer
Aquellos zapatos son nuevos.
Aquellos is the masculine plural demonstrative for far distance. It agrees with the masculine plural noun zapatos.
Use este/esta for near, ese/esa for medium, and aquel/aquella for far. Always match the gender and number of the noun.
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